Surgical device

ABSTRACT

A device for aiding men to attain and maintain erection consisting of an inflatable ring adapted to be inserted around the base of the penis and then inflated so as to apply a radially inward force thereto sufficient to retain blood in the organ; and a tubular sleeve portion with a bulb integrally formed thereon, that can be inserted over the penis and secured about the ring element in sealing engagement therewith, whereupon the bulb can be actuated to develop a low pressure within the interior of the tube and outside the penis, to aid in causing an erection, the ring retaining the blood to maintain the erection, the tubular part then being removable to permit copulation. After copulation, the ring can be deflated and removed. The ring can also be used in preventing urinary incontinence in males.

United States Patent 191 Jones 1111 3,820,533 1451 June 28,1974

54 SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SUCTION MEANS [76 inventor: Augii s t iii jones, QI OTConWavRd,

Ladue, Mo. 63124 22 Filed: Aug. 2, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 168,188

5/1917 Lederer 128/79 P 8/1942 Baudistel..

8 I ZJ ramirier Lai/vrence 57] ABSTRACT A device for aiding men to attain and maintain erection consisting of an inflatable ring adapted to be inserted around the base of the penis and then inflated so as to apply a radially inward force thereto sufficient to retain blood in the organ; and a tubular sleeve portion with a bulb integrally formed thereon, that can be inserted over the penis and secured about the ring element in sealing engagement therewith, whereupon the bulb can be actuated to develop a low pressure within the interior of the tube and outside the penis, to aid in causing an erection, the ring retaining the blood to maintain the erection, the tubular part then being removable to permit copulation. After copulation, the ring can be deflated and removed. The ring can also be used in preventing urinary incontinence in males.

3,495,589 2/1970 Clement 128/79 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS g 2 427,488 3/1926' Germany 128/79 6 (313M513 D'awmg F'gures 574,684 4/l933 Germany..., 128/79 1 -SURGICAL QEY C W 'HQQQIJQNMEAEEL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This device is not merely inexpensive in that the outer portion can be made of a unitary and sanitary plastic molding, but also in that the ring element can be inflated to the proper amount for any user in Contrast with prior art devices having a ring that, although perhaps elastic, are nevertheless of non-inflatable construction. In certain cases, the inflatable ringis in itself suflicient. I

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an external elevation of the device;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal diametrical section taken on the line 2-2of FIG. 1; and I FIG. 3 is a partially cut away diarnetrical cross section of the inflatable ring, with the pump attached.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation of the ring portion with a protuberance to be used to control urinary incontinence in males.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The device consists of two primary elements: a low pressure sleeve component and an inflatable ring component 11.

The low pressure component consists of a cylindrical tubular sleeve member, preferably of clear plastic,

formed as by a molding process from one of the somewhat flexible plastic materials. The high density polyethylene (0.93-0.95, for example) is preferred because it can have somewhat greater rigidity with. somewhat thinner walls. Low density polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride also can be used as can some of the rubber materials, synthetic or natural.

The tubular shaft portionof the sleeve 10 should be about two inches in diameter and about eight or so inches long. It has a closed end integrally formed with it and shaped to provide a squeeze bulb 12. This bulb has a check valve 13 in it which can permit egress of air from inside the tubular sleeve 10 but checks inflow of air. The bulb portion 12 is joined to the tubular portion 11 by an integral smooth connecting neck 14. This connecting portion, as well as the remaining parts of The ring 11 is made of relatively rigid plastic material. It has the shape of an internally opening channel of U-shaped cross section, as illustrated. This receives and retains a flexible, annular inflatable toroidal tube made of one of the flexible plastic materials such as those previously indicated, but of a wall thickness to permit inflation. The inside of the ring prior to inflation can be an inch or so in diameter and the diameter can be reduced by inflation.

The tube 20 has a football valve 21 in one side and the ring member 11 has an opening 22 adjacent the valve.

The device is intended to be used by persons of par tial impotence. In use, the ring assembly 11, detached from the tube 10, is placed over the flaccid penis near the base thereof. A pump 26 such as a small air pump with a capillary tube nozzle 27 is then inserted through the hole 22 and the football valve 21, and the ring 20 is thereupon pumped up, to a pressure that will retain bloodv in the penis. This pressure may be indicated in a gauge such as at 28. The tube 20 must not be to a high enough pressure that prevents ingress of blood to the penis under systolic pressure, but must be well above venous pressure so that it can retain the blood in the organ when the blood pressure is I reduced between heart beats.

When the ring has been inflated thus, the pump nozzle is withdrawn and the tubular member 10 screwed firmly onto the ring. The bulb 12 is pumped then a number of times to create a low pressure within the the device, are designed without comers or reentrants so as to provide a sanitary device.

Typically the wall thickness can be about onesixteenthinch. The material of the shaft portion may be relatively stiff, but is preferably somewhat more flexible and resilient than is the familiar plastic bottle or container such as the detergent bottle that is compressed to expel its contents. Thebulb portion 12 may have a thinner wall, but must be sufficiently strong to return to uncompressed condition so as to draw the desired low pressure condition in the interior of the sleeve.

The inflatable ring component 11 has external threads 16 or like attaching means that engage with complementary attaching means integrally formed in the tubular sleeve [0 near its open'end. The end of the tubular sleeve l0preferably is flared out at 15 so as to be pushed against the body of the user and sealed thereagainst without discomfort. The connection 16 between the two members preferably affords an airtight connection, reducing or eliminating the necessity of sealing the sleeve member against the body.

tube 10, the air being forced out through the check valve 13. In this action, a tight seal can be maintained between the ring tube 20 and the penis and between the threads engaging the tube 10 over the ring member 1 l, aided by a seal between the flared end 15 and the body of the user.

Erection results from a greater flow of blood into the organ than can flow out, the blood causing it to distend and become stiff. One factor in impotence is the inability of the flow of blood to produce the distention. The low pressure area outside the blood vessels is thought to reduce backpressure in the penis and hence make it easier for the blood to enter and expand the vessels. As the blood is being forced in a circulatory manner through the body, it therefore is driven back toward the heart by the same force that drives it into the penis. By virtue of the expanded ring, a resistance to the back flow of blood out of the penis can be provided, which is similar to the action of the muscles in a potent male.

By the present device, therefore, an erection can be obtained in a partially impotent man by the use of the low pressure producing pumping tube in cooperation with the ring which prevents the outflow of the blood. When the erection is obtained, the outer tube is simply unscrewed, leaving the ring 11 in place so that the erection is maintained throughout copulation. After copulation, the ring can be removed either by deflating it or by simply pulling it off.

In some cases, the ring alone may be sufficient, acting as a substitute for the muscles that normally restrict outflow of blood from the penis.

In addition to its use as an aid in overcoming impotence, the inflatable ring can be used to aid in controlling urinary incontinence in males. Its use for this purpose is evident and procedurally similar to use of the ring alone to overcome impotence. The ring 11 is placed around the penis and inflated until it obstructs the urethra.

In use, as a means to control male urinary incontincnce, the tube 20, with or without the ring 11, is positioned on the penis opposite the urethra, and then inflated to apply pressure directly against the urethra, thus comprising that passage to obstructflow through it. The tube 20 may be used without the plastic ring member 11, provided it is so designed that inflation causes sufficient reduction of the inner diameter of the tube to offset the purposes hereof.

Cleaning of the device is simple and complete because all three parts can be separated for cleansing. When the device is made of clear plastic, the user can be sure that it is entirely clean and sanitary.

Various changes and modifications may be made within this invention as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are within the scope and teaching of this invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the kind described: a toroidal ring member of flexible and inflatable material; filling means by which an inflating fluid under pressure may be introduced into the interior of the toroidal member and including means to prevent egress of fluid therefrom, the last two means comprising a valved passage through the wall of the ring member and a valve in the passage, the valve being inward of the outer surface of the ring member so as to afford minimal extension of the valve beyond the outer surduce pressure comprises a bulb portioii iiitegrally 4 face of the ring member, the ring member ha ing an inner diameter when uninflated approximately equal to the size of a penis, and being inflatable to reduce the inner diameter to produce a pressure on a penis that can restrain outflow of fluid therefrom.

2. The device of claim 1 together with a tubular sleeve adapted to be fitted over a penis and extend beyond the end thereof, means to engage the tubular member with the toroidal member, said means being releasable to permit the tubular member to be inserted or withdrawn, and means to reduce pressure within the sleeve.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the means to reformed with the sleeve and formed of flexible material.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the means to reduce pressure comprises a bulb on the sleeve and a check valve to permit expulsion of air from the sleeve but to prevent inflow thereof.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the ring is made of flexible plastic, the sleeve is made of a relatively stiff plastic, and the bulb is made of a plastic that can be compressed and yet which will return to original shape to produce the low pressure within it.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the toroidal member has a means to restrict its expansion outwardly, so as to insure the expansion inwardly when it is inflated. 

1. In a device of the kind described: a toroidal ring member of flexible and inflatable material; filling means by which an inflating fluid under pressure may be introduced into the interior of the toroidal member and including means to prevent egress of fluid therefrom, the last two means comprising a valved passage through the wall of the ring member and a valve in the passage, the valve being inward of the outer surface of the ring member so as to afford minimal extension of the valve beyond the outer surface of the ring member, the ring member having an inner diameter when uninflated approximately equal to the size of a penis, and being inflatable to reduce the inner diameter to produce a pressure on a penis that can restrain outflow of fluid therefrom.
 2. The device of claim 1 together with a tubular sleeve adapted to be fitted over a penis and extend beyond the end thereof, means to engage the tubular member with the toroidal member, said means being releasable to permit the tubular member to be inserted or withdrawn, and means to reduce pressure within the sleeve.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the means to reduce pressure comprises a bulb portion integrally formed with the sleeve and formed of flexible material.
 4. The device of claim 2 wherein the means to reduce pressure comprises a bulb on the sleeve and a check valve to permit expulsion of air from the sleeve but to prevent inflow thereof.
 5. The device of claim 2 wherein the ring is made of flexible plastic, the sleeve is made of a relatively stiff plastic, and the bulb is made of a plastic that can be compressed and yet which will return to original shape to produce the low pressure within it.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the toroidal member has a means to restrict its expansion outwardly, so as to insure the expansion inwardly when it is inflated. 